Are the Kids Alright? An Examination of Antisocial Behavior During Emerging Adulthood Among Justice-Involved Teen Parents

• Published date: 01 February 2025
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00938548241292437
• Author: Brae Young,Kristin M. Lloyd
• Date: 01 February 2025
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2025, Vol. 52, No. 2, February 2025, 277 –293.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548241292437

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© 2024 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

277

ARE THE KIDS ALRIGHT?

An Examination of Antisocial Behavior During

Emerging Adulthood Among Justice-Involved

Teen Parents

BRAE YOUNG

Texas Christian University

KRISTIN M. LLOYD

Clemson University

Research has highlighted the role that childbearing and parenting can have in reducing involvement in antisocial behavior

among adults. While some studies have similarly examined the short-term implications of parenthood for teen parents, very

little research has considered the role that parenthood might have as they enter emerging adulthood. Accordingly, using data

from the Pathways to Desistance study, the current study examines whether, among justice system involved young people,

adolescent parenthood is associated with offending, incarceration, and drug dependency during emerging adulthood. Results

indicate that adolescent parents, particularly teen fathers, are more likely to have continued justice system involvement dur-

ing emerging adulthood. The opposite is true, however, for teen parents who live with their children (residential parents).

Keywords: teen parents; adolescent parenthood; juvenile justice; emerging adulthood

For decades, criminologists have acknowledged the role that parenthood can play for

justice system involved persons. Life course researchers note that children can often be

a source of motivation to move away from criminal behavior (Giordano et al., 2002;

Monsbakken et al., 2013). Having a child can also reorient one’s priorities, limit unstruc-

tured free time, and ultimately increase ones “stake in conformity” (Sanchez & Thomson,

1997). It is perhaps not surprising then that research on adult populations finds that entering

parenthood can reduce offending and other forms of antisocial behavior (Pyrooz et al.,

2017; Schinkel, 2019).

Although this is true for those who become parents during adulthood, the same might

not be said for adolescent parents. Teen parents face stressors that their adult counterparts

might not. These include not just navigating their new role as a parent but missing out on

AUTHORS’ NOTE: Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Brae Young, Department

of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Texas Christian University, 2855 Main Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76109;

e-mail: brae.young@tcu.edu.

1292437CJBXXX10.1177/00938548241292437Criminal Justice and BehaviorYoung and Lloyd /

research-article2024

278 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR

socializing with friends and potentially reframing long-term goals (Hays, 1998; Mesman &

Groeneveld, 2017). Young parents are also more likely to face economic stress (Luong,

2014). All of this is occurring while this group is still developing key rational thinking and

coping skills (Arain et al., 2013). The concern is that teen parents might be more likely to

employ maladaptive coping strategies, like delinquency, when faced with these stressors

(Walker & Holtfreter, 2021)— particularly if they relied on such strategies in the past.

Unfortunately, there is a limited understanding of how parenthood affects antisocial

involvement among justice system involved teen parents. The research on this topic has

mainly focused on how parenthood affects changes, or short-term involvement, in crime

(Abell, 2018; Na, 2016; Tremblay et al., 2017). This leaves questions about whether teen

parenthood might be associated with antisocial behavior during emerging adulthood.

Research from the broader literature notes that the effects of teen parenthood often persist

into adulthood. Johansen et al. (2020), in their study of Danish citizens, found that the effect

of teen parenthood on education and earning potential weakened but still persisted into

adulthood. Because long-term offending can also drain justice system resources (Cohen &

Piquero, 2009), it is important to identify what factors are associated with continued offend-

ing. In addition to a focus on short-term offending or changes in offending, prior work in

this area has yet to consider whether teen parenthood is associated with other forms of

antisocial behavior. Antisocial behavior—like drug dependency and incarceration—are not

only common among this group (Borschmann et al., 2020), but can have detrimental effects

for both parent and child, and thus warrant consideration.

Accordingly, the goal of the current study is to examine how teen parenthood affects

adulthood antisocial behavior among justice system involved young people. Using the

Pathways to Desistance data, we assess whether adolescent parenthood is associated with

three markers of antisocial behavior: self-reported criminal offending, incarceration, and

drug dependency during emerging adulthood. This study builds upon existing literature in

three ways. First, we consider a broader range of antisocial behavior than prior work.

Second, we examine the effects of teen parenthood during emerging adulthood. And third,

we consider whether the effects of teen parenthood on adulthood antisocial behavior differ

by whether parents live with their child (residential parenthood), the timing of adolescent

parenthood, and the sex of the parent. In carrying out this study, we seek to provide a more

nuanced understanding about the relationship between teen parenthood and antisocial

behavior. Doing so might provide information that can improve the lives of individuals on

two ends of childhood: teen parents and their young children.

ADOLESCENT PARENTHOOD AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Existing research has focused on what might reduce future antisocial behavior among

justice system involved persons. A central emphasis of this work has been on the family.

Studies generally note that supportive family dynamics can improve future outcomes, while

adversities like domestic violence might worsen them (Derzon, 2010). One important fam-

ily dynamic is the role that parenthood can play for adolescents involved in the justice

system.

Research on adult populations finds that parenthood can move those with antisocial his-

tories away from such behavior (Chen & Kandel, 1998; Pyrooz et al., 2017; Schinkel,

2019). Questions remain about whether parenthood can exert similar effects for those who